Immigration Minister Marc Miller has addressed concerns following a report by Radio-Canada regarding the federal government’s plans to use federal correctional facilities for holding certain foreign nationals under immigration laws. This decision was highlighted within the context of the federal budget and has since attracted significant public attention and criticism.
Details of the Plan: The government proposal specifies that this measure will apply strictly to a very small segment of high-risk detainees, who are often faced with severe mental health issues and are under deportation orders. Minister Miller emphasized that these individuals will not be housed within the general prison population but will have separate accommodations, although they may share some facilities and services with regular inmates.
“This approach is not about treating these individuals as criminals,” Minister Miller stated. “Rather, it’s about ensuring the safety of both these individuals and the Canadian public, and addressing the capacity challenges faced by existing immigration detention facilities.”
Response to Criticisms: Human rights organizations have expressed strong concerns about this plan, describing it as “completely unacceptable.” In response, Minister Miller reassured the public that the dignity and respect of detainees are top priorities for the government. “We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of human rights while fulfilling our obligations to national security,” he explained.
Provincial Cooperation and Alternatives: The decision to use federal penitentiaries follows announcements by several provinces that they will no longer house immigration detainees in their jails on behalf of the federal government. The Minister noted that existing immigration holding centres in Toronto, Laval, and Surrey are insufficient to handle the expected number of detainees, necessitating alternative solutions.
Infrastructure Developments: Regarding the infrastructure for these detention arrangements, the Minister did not provide specific details but mentioned that the use of trailers at certain penitentiary sites had been considered and then halted. This decision aligns with a shift towards enhancing the capacity of federal immigration holding centres.
The Ministry of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada is actively working on these issues and will continue to provide updates as more details become available. The public and interested stakeholders are encouraged to stay informed through official government channels.